My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Axel leaned back against the grimy wall of the alley, breathing heavily, his chest heaving with every painful inhale. His body ached in places he didn't know could ache, bruises blooming across his arms, ribs screaming with every breath. The remains of his ruined car were behind him, twisted metal and shattered glass abandoned by the roadside. But he had managed to get away. That, at least, counted for something.

He had called a taxi with trembling hands, blood still dripping slowly from a shallow cut on his brow. The driver had barely looked at him when he climbed in, but Axel didn't offer any explanations. He gave Reiner's address, not his own.

Because he knew Thalia might be waiting at his apartment.

And he didn't have it in him to lie. Not tonight. Not with these wounds.

He leaned his head against the window of the cab as the city lights passed in a blur, a dull ache settling behind his eyes. His thoughts were all over the place. Flashes of Elion's glowing eyes. The way he'd moved—not human. Not even close. And Raelynn. The look on her face before she collapsed. It haunted him.

By the time they pulled up outside Reiner's building, the adrenaline had long worn off. All that was left was exhaustion and pain. He paid the driver and stepped out, legs wobbling slightly as he made his way to the elevator. It groaned as it ascended, creaking like it was protesting every floor.

When he finally knocked on Reiner's door, it took a moment before it swung open.

Reiner blinked, then let out a low whistle. "This a hospital now?"

Axel forced a weak smirk. "Shut up. Let me in."

Reiner stepped aside, letting him pass. Axel walked in stiffly, his movements slow, clearly favoring one side. His jacket was torn, the collar soaked in blood. He looked like he'd gone ten rounds with a wrecking ball. And lost.

"You look like shit," Reiner said, closing the door behind him.

"Thanks for the welcome."

Without waiting, Axel headed straight to the small bathroom, opening the mirror cabinet and pulling out a first aid kit. He shuffled into the living room a minute later, holding the kit under his arm.

He dropped onto the couch with a groan, head falling back against the cushion. Reiner followed, standing nearby, arms crossed.

"You gonna tell me what happened, or should I guess?"

Axel didn't answer immediately. He peeled back the bloodied fabric of his shirt, wincing. "Let's just say things didn't go according to plan."

"That obvious." But Reiner raised a brow. "Wait, what plan? What exactly did you do, Axel?"

Axel didn't look up. He focused on the wound instead. Reiner came closer, voice growing more insistent. "I'm serious. What kind of mission leaves you like this?

Reiner stared at him, then narrowed his eyes. "Is this about the thing you told me not to mention to Thalia?

Axel exhaled slowly, dragging the kit open and pulling out antiseptic. He dabbed at a scrape on his temple, hissing softly.

"I got Raelynn out."

That got Reiner's attention. "You what?"

Axel let out a tired breath, slumping a little more on the couch. "Don't act too surprised."

Reiner blinked at him, incredulous. "How can't I be? You just pulled off a suicide mission. Alone. No backup. No plan B. You're lucky to be alive."

Axel didn't look up, just kept cleaning the blood from his brow. "It was my agenda. My choice. I didn't need anyone else involved."

Reiner paced once across the room before stopping to face him again. "Still—damn it, Axel. That wasn't bravery. That was reckless."

Axel looked up then, his eyes steady and unflinching. "I know. But it was worth it. I'd do it again if I had to."

Reiner shook his head in disbelief, muttering, "You're insane..."

"We made it to the car. Drove. Thought we were in the clear."

He stopped, fingers tightening around the antiseptic bottle.

"And then he showed up. On foot. In front of the car. Like he just appeared out of the damn air."

Reiner stared, the color draining slightly from his face. "He's fast."

Axel let out a bitter laugh. "Fast doesn't cover it. He wasn't even breathing hard. He stood in front of the car like he had all the time in the world."

"And Raelynn?"

Axel nodded. "Passed out after the fight started. She's not well. I think… I think it was too much."

"You fought him?" Reiner asked, voice low.

Axel looked up, eyes dark. "I had to. I couldn't just let him take her back."

Reiner walked over and sat down, rubbing a hand over his face. "Damn, Axel. You're lucky he didn't kill you."

Axel shrugged, pain flickering in his expression. "I don't think he wanted to. Not yet."

Reiner looked at him carefully. "You think he let you go?"

Axel shook his head slowly. "No. I think I just got lucky. Or maybe he was more worried about her than me."

Silence stretched between them. The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the apartment. Axel leaned forward, pressing a hand against his side.

"I saw his eyes, Reiner. You ever look into something and just know it's not human?"

Reiner didn't answer. He didn't need to.

Axel leaned back again, swallowing hard.

"I messed up. I thought I could get her out and just drive away. Thought if I was smart and fast, I could beat him."

Reiner tilted his head. "So what now?"

Axel looked up, eyes grim.

"Now I fix it."

"You can barely walk."

"I'll heal."

Reiner sighed, reaching over to grab a cloth and toss it to him. "And when you do?"

Axel caught it and held it in his lap. "I go back. I find another way."

"He's not going to just let her go."

"Then I won't ask."

Reiner was quiet for a long moment, then shook his head. "This is your biggest mistake."

Axel met his gaze, eyes burning with quiet resolve.

"Maybe. But it's one I won't stop making."